Proposal 2 will have a huge impact on our public schools. Last year lawmakers made it easier for principals to keep our most effective teachers in the classroom and coach others toward effectiveness. This change in law ensured that our students were served by the BEST teachers, not merely the longest serving. If Proposal 2 passes key tenure reform laws will be repealed, along with over 150 other laws that govern the way school districts relate to employees. We need to make sure that low performing teachers get the remediation they need and that high performing teachers are rewarded for excellence. We urge readers to take a good, hard look at the REAL implications of Proposal 2.

Last year, the legislature enacted laws that would require a shared sacrifice from our public employees by requiring that they pay at least 20 percent of their health care costs. This law saved school districts across the state more than $400 million and put more than $250 per student back into the classroom. Proposal 2 will also undo this reform.

A year ago, about half of Michigan’s school districts, and several in Lenawee County, were operating without teacher contracts when school started. Due to legislative reforms, school boards were able to ensure that the school year began on time and that students received the number of school days and hours that they need and deserve. If Proposal 2 passes the school year and the number of days of school could be impacted by an indefinite delay in the start of the school year and/or fewer days of school. We do not support Right to Work legislation, and we certainly do not agree with some of the legislation that has been adopted over the past two years. (Some of which is clearly vindictive.) Changing the State Constitution is not the way to counteract poor legislation. Proposal 2 goes way too far. It’s about much more than putting the right to collectively bargain into our constitution.

Proposal 2 ties the hands of our schools to ensure students’ needs come first. More than that, it would likely cause a decade of court battles and result in schools having to waste hundreds of millions of dollars that are better spent in our classrooms. We encourage you to join us in voting no on Proposal 2.Steve GuerraMark HaggJim HartleyMike McAranScott MoellenberndtMike OsborneDave PrayChuck PelhamJim PhilpChris Timmis

Why Proposal 2? Other bills and laws

To the editor,I am writing in response to your editorial on Proposal 2. ("Our View: Government union deals need limits; vote ‘No’ on Proposal 2") You base your argument against the proposal on the premise that Michigan already permits collective bargaining. Oh, that it were all that simple!

Over the past 18 months the state legislature has sought to gut collective bargaining rights for public employees; especially those who work in education. Over 100 pieces of legislation have been introduced affecting collective bargaining, union rights, wages, benefits, outsourcing, education policy and work environment. You claim most of the laws created common-sense restrictions. Let’s look at some laws and bills.

Bill SJR B would amend the constitution for a three-year, 5 percent public employee salary reduction.

Law PA 54-11 banned retroactive bargaining for public employees. This affects employees working without a contract or under a wage freeze for indefinite periods.

Bill HB 4052 would ban the use of taxpayer funded equipment and facilities for union or political activities. Union members could not hold meetings in a school, nor communicate with public phones or computers.

Bill SB 704 workers and unions could be fined for picketing, despite their First Amendment rights.

Law PA 53-12 prohibits payroll deduction of public school personnel union dues. Apparently you believe this act should be repealed, but legislators are not acting to repeal It. Instead the MEA and other unions have had to file lawsuits to stop it from going into immediate effect.

Law PA 102-11 Prohibits bargaining over evaluations, layoff standards, seniority as a factor in assignments (including layoff/recall) and uses student achievement on standardized tests as a major factor in teacher evaluations.

Law PA 100-11 removes “reasonable and just cause” as the standard for discharge.

Law PA 277-11 allows districts to outsource the hiring of teachers and permits new hires not be covered by collective bargaining agreements. It also allows more charter schools. The Senate Fiscal Agency analysis concluded these changes will cost state and local districts more, reduce income, and raise retirement costs.

Bill SR 773 would make spouses, children, parents, and siblings of school employees ineligible to be school board members.

Bill SB 729 would prohibit collective bargaining with the Michigan Education Association. Who is bullying whom?

In a perfect world we wouldn’t need Proposal 2, but we don’t live In a perfect world. Collective bargaining rights are under attack. Constitutions are created to protect the rights of the people. Vote YES on Proposal 12-2 to protect working people.Karen ZavicarOnsted

Poll phone call said if I don’t vote GOP, I’m a communist

To the editor,Someone called and said he was doing a survey for the National Republican Party (phone 248-724-0801) and wanted to know if I will be voting for Mr. Romney and Mr. Ryan? My answer was “No.” He repeated my answer then promptly called me a member of the Communist Party. He then called me a COMMUNIST!

So now I have a few questions:Is this the Republican way of thinking? If I don’t support them I’m in the 47 percent Mr. Romney doesn’t care about? Or is the 47 percent Mr. Romney doesn’t care about communists also?

Is this their super-conservative way of thinking either your with them or you’re a communist?

The state of Michigan has a Republican governor and a controlling Republican majority who want to take away your right of democracy for collective bargaining whether UNION or NOT UNION. And they call me a communist!

Just remember the politicians and special interest groups put all of us in these situations and it is the same people who want to show up on a white horse and promise to fix everything. Their way is for us the working class to suck it up and pay more for their blunders. Example: taxing pensions, cutting school funding by taking money from Proposal A and giving it to universities and community colleges who can charge for an education but a public school cannot! And then tell everyone that Proposal A is not working and short of funds. (If Proposal A was left alone we wouldn’t need to make changes.)

I feel the old saying of calling a kettle black is usually because they themselves ARE the black kettle!

People, wake up!

I know many good people that are Republicans but none of them have ever called me a communist because I didn’t vote the Republican format. I’m not a communist!

I’m sure somebody will take offense to my article and I don’t care at least I didn’t call you a communist!

As you probably can see I’m MAD and with good reason! I have had the privilege of voting for over 38 years and have voted for individuals who I felt offered the best for my family. One might say that makes me an independent but I don’t think so. I like to feel I’m an American citizen exercising my right.Mark VanderpoolAdrian

Jenkins should meet, debate with teachers

To the editor,Why is it that Nancy Jenkins, Republican candidate for State Representative, refuses to meet with a segment of her constituents — teachers? Why is it that Nancy refuses to debate her opponent, Democrat Jim Berryman, anywhere, anytime?

She refuses to meet, she refuses to debate while at the same time puts out ads attacking teachers and her opponent. If she has something to say, why not say it on the debate floor so the public hears both sides together? What is Nancy afraid of? We are not the enemy, Nancy.